Wyckoff 'elder statesman' honored to serve as Electoral College representative

John ‘Jack’ McCarthy and his granddaughter Jennifer Holdsworth on the New Jersey Senate floor.

Wyckoff – When John "Jack" McCarthy voted for President Obama Dec. 17 in Trenton, he wasn’t late or lost. He was casting one of New Jersey’s 14 votes as a member of the state’s Electoral College.

It was actually the second Electoral College assignment for the 14-year resident. He was also chosen to represent Jimmy Carter in 1976. However, Gerald Ford carried New Jersey, so even though Carter won the election, Ford’s Electors went to Trenton to cast their votes. So this was actually McCarthy’s first opportunity to vote.

McCarthy called his selection as an Elector by the Bergen County Democrat Committee chairman an "honor bestowed on an elder statesman" for his 45 years of paid and volunteer government work at the local, county, state and national level. At the committee’s September meeting, McCarthy was nominated by the Democratic State Committee to be an Electoral College Elector.

"It was really a wonderful and interesting day," said McCarthy. "There were still people there that I knew when I worked there."

Long involvement

Born in New York City, McCarthy moved to Dumont during his teen years, when he says he first became interested in politics through New Jersey Gov. Robert Meyner.

"I was interested in his ideals," said McCarthy, 79, during a telephone interview from Florida where he resides during the winter months.

McCarthy first settled in Old Tappan, moved to Mahwah in 1979, then to Wyckoff in 1995. While pursuing a professional career in banking and insurance, he participated in a variety of political activities: municipal and district chairman, state Democrat committee, and campaign staffer for John F. Kennedy in 1960. A delegate to national conventions, McCarthy later served as Bergen County campaign chairman for Jimmy Carter. McCarthy served as Secretary of the New Jersey Senate, Treasurer of the Bergen County Utilities Authority and a Commissioner of Economic Development. He also ran for State Senate.

"I ran for mayor of Old Tappan twice," he said. "I never got personal with anyone. It was more gentlemanly then, a better way to conduct politics."

McCarthy said he always had a friendly relationship with his opponents, and felt they treated him as fairly as he treated them.

"It was a different time," he said. "It’s unfortunate that we’re so polarized now. But that part of my life is done, it’s time for others to come in and serve and bring their ideas to the table."

He retired from consulting seven years ago and from banking two years ago.

Traditions continue

McCarthy’s family is involved in public service, as well.

His wife Bernadette Callahan McCarthy is a former deputy clerk of the General Assembly and a former district chairwoman. Of his seven children, two daughters have held positions in Bergen County, a son who has twice been a candidate for the Assembly, a son-in-law is a municipal judge, a granddaughter who was a clerk to the Bergen County Board of Freeholders and a grandson who is an aide to a freeholder.

The process has not been lost on his family, specifically his granddaughter, Jennifer Holdsworth, who at 3-1/2 went with him when he took his first oath to become Secretary of the Senate. Now an attorney for Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle (D-Englewood), Holdsworth accompanied him to his electoral vote last month.

"She took a look around and said, 'I could work here'," he remembers. "It was fitting that she came with me this time."